Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-10
A MASTER OF FENCE.
Jean Louis Meets and Kills Thirteen Success
sive Opponents in Single Hour.

Jean Louis Meets and Kills Thirteen Success
sive Opponents in Single Hour.
Outing.
To give an idea of what a brave man
can do if he knows fencing thoroughly,
and but keeps cool and collected in dan
ger, we will relate an historical duel. So
extraordinary is this combat shat it would
be held romance had it not been wit.
messed by whole army. The hero is
Jean Louis, one of the great masters of
fencing about the beginning of this CEN
fury, and the duel happened in Madrid
in 1914. Hewas the master-at-arms of
the Thirty-second Regiment of French
infantry, the First Regiment, composed
entirelyof Italians, formed part of the
same brigade.
Regimental esprit de corps and rival
ries of nationality caused constant quar-
rels, when swords were often whipped
out or bullets exchanged. After a small
battle had occurred in the streets of Mad
rid in which over two hundred French
and italian soldiers had taken part, the
officers of the two regiments decided to
give such breaches of order great blow,
and to re-establish discipline; they de-
creed that the masters alarms of the two
regiments should take up the quarrel
and fight it out.
Imagine whole army in battle array
on one of the large plains that surround
Madrid. In the center large ring is left
open for the contestants. This spot is
raised above the plan, so that not one of
the spectators will miss one phase of the
contest.
The drum is heard; two men, naked
to the waist, step in the ring. The first
is tall and strong, his black eyes rove
disdainfully upon the gaping crowd; he
is Giacomo Ferrari, the celebrated Italian.
The second, tall, also handsome, and
with muscles like steel stands modestly
awaiting the word of command; his name
is Jean Louis. The witnesses assume
their places on either side of their prin.
cfpals. A death-like silence ensues.
"On guard"
The two masters cross swords; Giaco-
mo Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean
Louis; but In vain, his every thrust is
met by parry. He makes up his mind
to bide his chance, and caresses and
leases his opponents blade. Jean Louis,
calm and watchful, lends himself to the
play, when, quicker than lightning the
italian jumps aside with loud yell, and,
makes a terrible lunge at Jean Louisa
Fiorentine trick, often successful. But
with extraordinary rapidity, Jean Louis
has parted, and risposts quickly in the
shoulder.
cit is nothing" cries Giacomo, ga mere
Scratch" and they again fall on guard;
almost directly he is hit in the breast.
This time, the sword of Jean Louis, who
is now attacking, penetrates deeply.
Giacomo's face becomes l1vid, his sword
drops from his hand and he falls heavily
on the turf. He IS dead.
Jean Louis is already in position; he
wipes his reeking blade, then, with the
point of his sword in the ground, he
calmly awaits the next man.
The best fencer of the First Regim emit
has just been carried away corpse; but
the day is not yet over, fourteen adver-
saries are there, impatient to measure
swords with the conquerOr, burning to
avenge the master they had deemed in
vincible.
jean Louis has hardly had two min
utes' rest. He is ready. A new Adversary
stands before him. A sinister click of
of swords is heard, lunge, a parry, ris-
posi-, and then cry, a sigh, and all is
over. A second body is before Jean
Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
wanted Jean Louis to rest. 81 am not
tired" he answers with smile.
The signal is given. The italian has
closely watched Jean Louis play and
thinks he has guessed the secret of his
victories. He multiplies his feints and
tricks, then all at once, bounding like
tiger on his prey he gives his opponent
terrible thrust in the lower line. But
Jean Louis sword has parted and is now
deep within his opponents breast.
What need to relate any more. Ten
new adversaries followed him, and inc
ten fell before Jean Louis amid the ex
cited yells and roars of an army.
At the request of the Thirty
Regiments Colonel, who thought the
lesson sufficient, jean Louis, after much
pressing, consented to stop the combat,
and he shook hands with the two sur
viyors, applauded by ten thousand men.
From that day fights ceased between
French and Italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic combat
might be held fable were not all the
facts above stated still found in the ar
chives of the Ministry of War.